Stories from Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Missouri still meth lab leader(02/13/08)A decline in methamphetamine lab seizures in Missouri brought about by a pseudoephedrine law passed in 2006 began reversing itself during the last six months of 2007. According to the latest meth lab seizure statistics provided by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, there were 1,285 lab seizures in Missouri during 2007, which is virtually the same as the 2006 total of 1,284 but a third of what the seizure totals were before the state law limiting pseudoephedrine sales passed...

Area firefighters to receive new pagers(02/13/08)On Feb. 7, Gov. Matt Blunt announced that the Wheaton Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $158,255 grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. Although the Wheaton Fire Department is acting as the fiscal agent that will receive the $158,355 grant, the funds will benefit 12 fire departments in Barry County by placing new pagers into the hands of every local firefighter, said Bob Lombard, Wheaton Fire Department chief...

Continuing the tradition(02/13/08)Steven Vaughan asked current Boy Scouts Zane LeCompte and Isaac Porch to read from a first edition Scouting handbook during a tribute held in honor of Steven's father, Charles Vaughan, on Saturday. Charles Vaughan served as scoutmaster of Cassville Boy Scout Troop 76 for 50 years. A number of Charles Vaughan's former scouts attended the event, which honored the community leader posthumously...

Beloved Troop 76 scoutmaster honored(02/13/08)Community, former Eagles turn out to pay tribute to Charles Vaughan By Lisa Schlichtman Camping excursions at Broken Arm Cave, fishing trips on the James River arm of Table Rock and a trip to Roaring River to learn Morse code were just a few of the memories shared about the late Charles Vaughan this past Saturday during a tribute held in his honor at the Barry County Museum in Cassville...

Jenkins fire to seek district(02/13/08)The Jenkins Rural Fire Department becomes the latest volunteer firefighting force to seek voter approval for formation of a tax-supported fire district. To inform voters about the upcoming ballot issue, the fire department will host two town hall meetings to discuss the proposal. ...

Wildcats drop two, prepare for districts(02/13/08)The Cassville Wildcats struggled to find their offense this week, falling in two contests. In both games Cassville was unable to score more than 38 points and had four quarters in which they scored no more than 6 points. On Tuesday, Feb. 5, Cassville hosted a very athletic Springfield Central team. ...

Ladycats earn Big 8 wins(02/13/08)The Cassville Ladycats picked up two Big 8 Conference victories last week in three contests. Cassville faced the Monett Lady Cubs on Monday, Feb. 4 and won 49-39. The Ladycats jumped out to an 8-2 lead over Monett and slowly increased their lead throughout the contest. At half-time, Cassville led 22-15 and increased the score to 33-22 before the fourth quarter...

Area Basketball Round-up(02/13/08)Boys action  Eagles rebound against Trojans. The Purdy Eagles rallied after one quarter of play to beat the Southwest Trojans this week. After falling behind 14-11, Purdy regained the lead in the second quarter and never yielded, winning 51-44. ...

DANA L. STAKER(02/13/08)Dana L. Staker, 89, of Seligman, died Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, at St. John's Hospital, Cassville, following a brief illness. He was born on Sept. 26, 1918, in Groveland, Ill., the son of Ruben and Cora (Zimmerman) Staker. He worked as a machinist for Caterpillar in Peoria, Ill., for over 30 years. ...

BETTY LUe YOUNG(02/13/08)Betty Lue Young, 59 of Verona, passed away Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident south of Aurora. She was born March 9, 1948, in Stella, the daughter of Henry A. Clapper and Leona Balmas Clapper. She was the elections coordinator for Greene County. She attended the Waldensian Presbyterian Church, Monett...

MELBA GALBRAITH(02/13/08)Melba Galbraith, 75, passed away Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008, at Red Rose Inn in Cassville, following a lengthy illness. She was born on April 3, 1932, in Exeter, the daughter of Orbie Leonard and Clara (England) Brown. Survivors include; one son, J.R. Vann, of St. Claire; and one brother, M.V. "Johnnie" Brown, and his wife, Marie, of Cassville. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters...

Legislation could aid mental health system(02/13/08)Dear Editor: On behalf of Missouri Families For Access To Comprehensive Treatment or MOFACT, I wish to call attention to legislation pending in the Missouri legislature, which will greatly enhance comprehensive treatment to mental health patients and their families in our state. ...

Sater confuses agriculture terms(02/13/08)Dear Editor: State Representative David Sater, in his recent "Straight Talk" newsletter, makes a common mistake in confusing agriculture and agribusiness. Agriculture has an emphasis on CULTURE. Agriculture is a way of life, where making money is secondary and the individual farmer assumes the costs. Agribusiness has an emphasis on BUSINESS. The focus of agribusiness is making money and making other people pick up the costs...

Letter asks elected officials for help(02/13/08)Dear Editor: This letter is being circulated among the citizens of Washburn and will be mailed to Rep. Dave Sater and Sen. Jack Goodman. Dear Representative Sater and Senator Goodman, In attending the meeting on Feb. 7 that our city leaders held with DNR, their financial advisor and the engineer, I learned three things, 1) our council is concerned about our situation, 2) we are so far into the project that we will have to pay for it and 3) when I and Councilman Rose asked the engineer what would happen if our out-of-city users were to unhook or we lost anymore regular customers, his answer was "the remaining customers will have to make it up." This is the problem that we face!. ...

A life worth remembering(02/13/08)On Saturday, the Barry County Museum played host to a special tribute to the late Charles Vaughan. The event attracted a great crowd of all ages who gathered together to honor a man who had such a positive impact on so many young men in his role as scoutmaster of Cassville Boy Scout Troop 76. ...